Overlook Farm's Horses

Somerset is a beautiful horse to watch and to ride. Seemingly tailor made for eventing with his ground covering gallop, and beautiful movement, he has the potential to be competitive against the best in the world. I feel blessed that I am lucky enough to ride him. Somerset and I were hoping to try for the US Team for the WEG, but he was unfortunately injured at The Fork CIC*** this past April.

He then had stem cell surgery from which he made a full recovery and looked great, only to almost die from a freak bone infection that left him in the hospital from March to July 2011. Since he was too fragile to return home to us in Virginia, he was then sent to the best place I could think of to provide round the clock professional care and rehabilitation, The Sanctuary in Ocala, Florida.

Somerset owes his life to the team of exceptional vets that had him in their care, and to the dedicated, knowledgeable, and kind horseman that work at The Sanctuary. Defying everyone's best expectations, Somerset is now sound, looks great, and home with us in Ocala. However, due to the extreme trauma his entire body had to go through, we have no idea what the future will hold for him. We are taking it one day at a time, and feel very blessed that he is happy and healthy again.

A huge thank you to his owners, Sean and Edy Rameika for covering the entire cost of Somerset's surgeries and hospitalization. There are not many people who would do that for a horse unlikely to ever compete again, and this extraordinary gesture from friends who have already given so much makes us truly grateful.

Mannie is another beautiful example of a lovely type of eventer. He moves well, is brave cross country, and could double quite easily as a pure show jumper. You can count on finishing on your dressage score unless you ride him pretty badly! Mannie is moving up to the advanced level this fall at Southern Pines and Morven Park Horse Trials, with the aim of competing next June at Bromont CCI***. I am trying to qualify Mannie for the London Olympic Games.

Tat is a 10 year old NZ TB gelding that my good friend, Vaughn Jefferis and I owned together until this year. He was brought over to the states in February by my owner, Edy Rameika and has been steadily holding his own ever since. Trained in New Zealand by the great Vaughn Jefferis, and ridden by an extremely talented up and coming kiwi show jumper, Matt Gilmore, Tat has had the very best start possible. He is a real trier, and one of the sweetest horses I have ever had. I feel very lucky to see him in the paddock every day. Tat will move up to the advanced level this spring, with the goal of competing at the CCI *** at Jersey Fresh this May.

Click here to see a video of Tat at the bank complex at the Ocala Winter II horse trials.

Della is a lovely mover, with a huge gallop, and a very strong personality! She is very secure in herself, and makes me laugh at least once a day with her opinions on how things should be done. Della started her eventing career last year in Ocala, and will be moving up to training level this April. I am very excited about this horse for the future. She is a fine example of a classic, proper boned, American Thoroughbred.